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Coffee drinkers are in for a treat as a new shop has opened in the heart of Southsea.Home Coffee opened its doors late last year, offering customers different types of coffee from around the world.

Located in Albert Road, next to the Kings Theatre, people can come in and enjoy coffee and cake.

Home Coffee, Southsea.

The business has been formed by friends Russell Ison, Andrew Chance and Rob Nichol, who own the shop together.

Russell said: ‘We thought about doing it about seven years ago but for one reason or another it didn’t come about. Now is a better time because of the growth of speciality coffee shops outside London.

‘There are a number of good food outlets opening in Southsea.

We were looking for the right premises and Albert Road is the right area.

‘It’s mainly independent shops and bars.’

Coffee is imported from around the world including Rwanda, Panama and Nicaragua.

The current blend is 40 per cent from Mexico, 40 per cent from Guatemala and 20 per cent from Ethiopia.

The origins of the coffee change with the seasons.

Russell added: ‘We are happy to talk to customers about how it’s made and how it affects the taste.’

And Russell said it’s been successful so far.

‘Opening just before Christmas, we’ve not had a normal trading week yet but it’s been very popular,’ he said.

‘We are next to the Kings Theatre so it’s been good with the pantomime.

‘We will look to adapt our opening hours around the theatre as some people don’t want to go to a bar.

‘They would prefer to go and have a coffee after the theatre instead.’

Rob added: ‘I’m a massive coffee drinker.

‘It’s good knowing that we can offer something better than the chains.

‘It’s a bit more bespoke. We are very passionate about where the coffee comes from.

‘We are doing our best for the coffee and making it taste the best it can.’

Rob thinks coffee shops are becoming increasingly popular. ‘There’s a movement from people going to bars to socialising in coffee shops. It’s like the new wine,’ he said. ‘We are getting people to appreciate that coffee can taste different depending on how it’s brewed and where it’s from.’

Andrew added: ‘It’s going extremely well.

‘It’s just about getting the word out there so that people know we are here.